Matching program, matching system, information processing device, server, and method

Abstract

To provide a matching program, a matching system, an information processing device, a server, and a method that make it easier to hold a predetermined tournament. [Solution] A matching program is provided that executes the steps of accepting operation location information and accepting at least one of event location information or participation location information, matching the operation location with the event location based on the operation location information and the event location information, or matching the operation location with the participation location based on the operation location information and the participation location information, and, if the operation location and the event location are matched, notifying a participant terminal of information inviting participants to participate in a tournament at the matched operation location and event location, and, if the operation location and the participation location are matched, notifying a provider terminal of information inviting participants to provide a venue at the matched operation location and participation location.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a matching program, a matching system, an information processing device, a server, and a method, and more particularly to a matching program, a matching system, an information processing device, a server, and a method for holding a predetermined tournament. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an event matching system has been known that uses a computer to process information for coordinating the holding of an event among three parties including a company, a store, and a general user, and that has a site accessed from a terminal of a first user at the company, a terminal of a second user at the store, and a terminal of a third user who is a general user, the site including a server device, and has the following functions: a function for each user of the three parties to register user information; a registration function for each of the first and second users to register event information including conditions related to event participation; a search function for the third user to search for the registered event information; an application function for the third user to apply to participate in an event indicated in the event information obtained as a result of the search; a judgment function for comparing the registered event information with the user information of the three parties and determining whether the conditions related to event participation for the three parties match; and a function for deciding to hold an event whose conditions match as a result of the judgment and notifying the three parties of the information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-175025 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The event matching system described in Patent Document 1 can streamline coordination regarding the planning and holding of events such as specified tournaments, but if the number of participants wishing to participate in an event does not reach the minimum number of participants required for the event to be held, the event will not be held.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a matching program, a matching system, an information processing device, a server, and a method that make it easier to hold a specified tournament. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a matching program for causing a computer having a processor and memory to execute a matching process for a tournament, the matching program causing the processor to execute the following steps: receiving, from an operator wishing to run a tournament, operation location information regarding an operation location where the operator wishes to run the tournament, and receiving at least one of the following information: event location information regarding the event location where the operator wishes to hold the tournament from a provider wishing to provide a venue for the tournament, or participation location information regarding the participation location where the participant wishes to participate in the tournament; matching the operation location with the event location based on the operation location information and the venue information, or matching the operation location with the participation locations based on the operation location information and the participation location information; and, if the operation location and the event location are matched in the matching step, notifying at least the participant terminal of the participant of information inviting participation in the tournament at the matched operation location and venue location, and if the operation location and the participation location are matched, notifying at least the provider terminal of the provider of information inviting participation in the tournament at the matched operation location and venue location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the matching program, matching system, information processing device, server, and method of the present invention, it is possible to provide a matching program, matching system, information processing device, server, and method that make it easier to hold a specified tournament. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating data configurations of respective storage units according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of processing in the system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a modified example of processing in the system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a modified example of processing in the system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment Mode] <System 1 configuration overview> Fig. 1 shows an overview of the system according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 1(a) shows an overview of the configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 1(b) is a diagram for explaining an overview of matching in the system 1.

[0010] The matching system according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "system 1") includes a server 3 that performs matching and the like in a tournament such as a game tournament, a provider terminal 10 of a provider that provides the venue for the tournament, an operator terminal 12 of an operator that runs the tournament, and a participant terminal 14 of participants participating in the tournament. The server 3, the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 are each connected via a communication network 5 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally.

[0011] Here, a provider is a person (natural person or corporation, etc.) who provides the venue for the tournament, such as the manager of a local government or commercial facility, or the manager of a designated shop, etc. Furthermore, an operator is a person (natural person or corporation, etc.) in charge of running the tournament, i.e., the organizer (host of the tournament). Furthermore, a participant is a person (natural person or group of natural persons, etc.) who takes part in the tournament. In the description of this embodiment, a provider includes a person who could become a provider, an operator includes a person who could become an operator, and a participant includes a person who could become a participant.

[0012] In the system 1, the server 3 receives predetermined instructions from the provider, the operator, and / or the participant and proceeds with matching and other processes. In this case, the system 1 may be a server-client type matching system. In the system 1, a matching program for a predetermined tournament or the like may be installed in the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14, and matching and other processes may be performed while communicating with the server 3 as necessary.

[0013] In order to simplify the explanation, Figure 1(a) shows an example in which one provider terminal 10, one operator terminal 12, and one participant terminal 14 are each connected to the server 3 via a communication network 5, but multiple provider terminals 10, multiple operator terminals 12, and / or multiple participant terminals 14 may each be connected to the server 3 via the communication network 5.

[0014] <System 1 Overview> System 1 is a system that matches providers who provide venues for tournaments such as game tournaments, operators who host / operate the tournaments, and participants who will participate in the tournaments. System 1 accepts predetermined location information from each of the providers, operators, and / or participants, and performs matching based on the location information. That is, system 1 performs matching based on information about the venue where the provider wishes to hold the tournament (venue location information) obtained from provider terminal 10, information about the operating location where the operator wishes to host / operate the tournament (operation location information) obtained from operator terminal 12, and / or information about the participation location where the participant wishes to participate in the tournament (participation location information) obtained from participant terminal 14.

[0015] Note that system 1 can also acquire one or more pieces of venue information from one or more provider terminals 10, acquire one or more pieces of operating venue information from one or more operator terminals 12, and / or acquire one or more pieces of participation venue information from one or more participant terminals 14. However, to simplify the explanation below, unless otherwise specified, the explanation will mainly focus on the case where system 1 acquires one piece of venue information from one provider terminal 10, one piece of operating venue information from one operator terminal 12, and one piece of participation venue information from one participant terminal 14, and then executes the specified processing.

[0016] Therefore, for example, the system 1 can grasp potential needs for the location (or area) in which participants wish to participate, based on the acquired participation location information. Similarly, the system 1 can grasp potential needs for the location (e.g., a specified facility) that the provider wishes to provide, based on the acquired event location information, and / or potential needs for the location (or area) that the operator wishes to operate, based on the acquired operation location information. The system 1 then performs matching based on the event location information, operation location information, and / or participation location information, and notifies the provider terminal 10, operator terminal 12, and / or participant terminal 14 of information regarding the matching results. Furthermore, if the matching results indicate that it is possible to hold a specified tournament, the system 1 executes various processes related to holding the specified tournament.

[0017] Here, the location-related information indicated by the venue information, operation location information, and / or participation location information may be information indicating a specific location or information indicating a specific area (a predetermined region including a specific location). System 1 acquires and stores multiple venue information, operation location information, and / or participation location information in advance from multiple providers, multiple operators, and / or multiple participants, respectively. System 1 then performs matching to determine whether or not a specific tournament can be held based on the venue information, operation location information, and / or participation location information. Furthermore, system 1 may make the stored venue information, operation location information, and / or participation location information available for reference at any time on provider terminal 10, operator terminal 12, and / or participant terminal 14, respectively.

[0018] (Matching Overview 1: Matching based on two pieces of information) For example, the location indicated by the event location information (which may be a location indicating a specific point) is the event location 20, the location indicated by the operation location information (which may be an area indicating a predetermined region) is the operation location 22, and the location indicated by the participation location information (which may be an area indicating a predetermined region) is the participation location 24. Then, as an example, the system 1 can acquire a specific piece of information from the event location information, operation location information, and participation location information, identify the location corresponding to the acquired information, and acquire at least one of the other two pieces of information excluding the acquired piece of information, and perform matching based on the specific piece of information and the acquired piece of information.

[0019] That is, the system 1 acquires a specific piece of information about a specific one of the venue 20, the operating venue 22, and / or the participating venues 24, and acquires one of two pieces of information about the other two venues excluding the specific piece of information, and performs matching. If matching is achieved, the system 1 then executes a process of soliciting information about the one piece of information that was not used for matching. For example, the system 1 can execute a predetermined solicitation in each of the following patterns.

[0020] a) Where the specific information acquired is business location information. In this case, the system 1 accepts at least one of the information of the event venue information and the information of the participation venue information, and then the system 1 performs matching based on the operation venue information and the event venue information, or the operation venue information and the information of the participation venue information.

[0021] When the operation location information and the event location information match (i.e., when there is an area where the operation location 22 and the event location 20 match (an overlapping area)), the system 1 solicits the provision of participation location information. For example, the system 1 supplies or presents information soliciting the provision of participation location information to the participant terminal 14 (including the information terminal of a person who is not yet a participant but has the potential to become a participant; the same applies below) and a predetermined web page (for example, a web page operated by the server 3; the same applies below), etc. In other words, the system solicits participation in a tournament in an area where the operation location 22 and the event location 20 match. In this case, the system presents information that there is an overlapping area between the operation location information and the event location information, as well as information indicating that a person (provider) who wishes to provide a venue for the specified tournament and a person (operator) who wishes to host / operate the specified tournament already exist in the overlapping area. This allows participants (including those who are not yet participants; the same applies below) to confirm in advance that there are potential venue providers capable of hosting a tournament and potential operators who could host / run the tournament within the area where the venue location 20 and the operation location 22 overlap, and so they can know in advance that if the participant participates in a specified tournament within that area, the specified tournament will be held with a high degree of certainty. Therefore, participants can decide whether or not to participate in a specified tournament after determining whether or not their desired participation location is included in that area, so if the participation location is included in that area, it becomes easier to decide to enter a specified tournament held within that area.

[0022] Furthermore, if the operation location information and the participation location information match (i.e., if there is an area where the operation location 22 and the participation location 24 match (an overlapping area)), the system 1 solicits donations of event location information. For example, the system 1 supplies or presents information soliciting donations of event location information to the provider terminal 10 (including the information terminal of a person who has not yet become a provider but has the potential to become a provider; the same applies below) and to a specified web page, etc. In other words, the system solicits donations of a tournament venue in an area where the operation location 22 and the participation location 24 match. In this case, the system also presents information that there is an overlapping area between the operation location information and the participation location information, as well as information indicating that a person (operator) who wishes to host / manage a specified tournament and a person (participant) who wishes to participate in the specified tournament already exist in the overlapping area. This allows providers (including those who are not yet providers; the same applies below) to confirm in advance that there are potential operators who will host / operate the tournament and potential participants in the tournament within the area where the operating locations 22 and the participating locations 24 overlap, and so they can know in advance that by providing a venue within that area, there is a high probability that a specified tournament will be held. This makes it easier for providers to provide a venue within that area (for example, if the provider is a local government, etc., it becomes easier to go through the necessary procedures and approvals when deciding to use a facility owned by the local government, etc. as the venue for a specified tournament).

[0023] b) When the specific information acquired is venue information. In this case, the system 1 accepts at least one of the operation location information and the participation location information, and performs matching based on the event location information and the operation location information, or the event location information and the participation location information.

[0024] When the event venue information and the operation venue information match, the system 1 solicits the provision of participation venue information. The solicitation of participation venue information is the same as the explanation for "When the operation venue information and the event venue information match" in "a) When the specific information to be acquired is operation venue information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0025] Furthermore, if the event venue information and the participation venue information match (i.e., if there is an area where the event venue 20 and the participation venue 24 match (an overlapping area)), the system 1 solicits the provision of operation venue information. For example, the system 1 supplies or presents information soliciting the provision of operation venue information to the operator terminal 12 (including the information terminal of a person who has not yet become an operator but has the potential to become an operator; the same applies below) and to a specified web page, etc. In other words, the system solicits operators for a tournament to be held in an area where the event venue 20 and the participation venue 24 match. In this case, the system presents information that there is an overlapping area between the event venue information and the participation venue information, as well as information indicating that a person (provider) who wishes to provide a venue for a specified tournament and a person (participant) who wishes to participate in the specified tournament already exist in the overlapping area. This allows an operator (including a person who is not yet an operator; the same applies below) to confirm in advance that there are potential venue providers capable of hosting a tournament and potential participants for the tournament within the area where the venue location 20 and the participation locations 24 overlap, and so by participating as an operator in that area, the operator can know in advance that there is a high probability that the specified tournament will be held. Therefore, it becomes easier for the operator to participate in the operation of a specified tournament within that area (for example, if the operator is a tournament provider company, etc., as long as there is someone who can host / operate the specified tournament, the operator can know in advance that the specified tournament can be easily held, making it easier for the operator to apply to be an operator themselves).

[0026] c) When the specific information acquired is participating location information. In this case, the system 1 receives at least one of the operation location information and the event location information, and performs matching based on the participation location information and the operation location information, or the participation location information and the event location information.

[0027] When the participation location information and the operation location information match, the system 1 solicits the provision of the event location information. The solicitation of the event location information is the same as the explanation for "When the operation location information and the participation location information match" in "a) When the specific information to be acquired is operation location information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0028] Furthermore, when the participation location information and the event location information match, the system 1 solicits the provision of operation location information. The solicitation of operation location information is the same as the explanation in "When the event location information and participation location information match" in "b) When the specific information to be acquired is event location information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0029] The system 1 may acquire participation location information from each of the participant terminals 14 of multiple participants and perform matching based on the acquired multiple participation location information. For example, when the number of participants reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g., when the system 1 acquires a number of participation location information corresponding to the predetermined threshold), the system 1 solicits event location information and operation location information and performs matching. In this case, the system 1 provides or presents information soliciting the provision of event location information and operation location information to the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or a predetermined webpage, etc. This allows the operator and provider to confirm in advance that a predetermined number of potential participants already exist for the event at the specified participation location 24, thereby enabling them to know in advance that by participating as the operator and provider at the participation location 24, the specified event will be held with a high degree of certainty. The system 1 then performs matching based on the event location information received via the provider terminal 10, the operation location information received via the operator terminal 12, and one or more participation location information already received.

[0030] (Matching Overview 2: Matching based on three pieces of information) Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 1(b), if the venue location 20, the operation location 22, and the participation location 24 match, the system 1 determines that the specified tournament can be held in the matched location (area; hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "determined area 200." In Figure 1(b), the determined area 200 is the area where the venue location 20, the operation location 22, and the participation location 24 overlap.).

[0031] Here, if at least one of the venue location 20, the operating location 22, and the participating locations 24 does not match, the system 1 can execute a recruitment for the mismatched locations. For example, the system 1 can execute a predetermined recruitment in each of the following patterns. d) If the mismatched location is the event location 20 (in this case, there is an area where the operation location 22 and the participation location 24 match (overlapping area), but that area does not overlap with the event location 20), we request the provision of event location information. e) If the mismatched location is the operation location 22 (in this case, there is an area where the event location 20 and the participation location 24 match (overlapping area), but that area does not overlap with the operation location 22), we request the provision of operation location information. f) If the mismatched location is a participating location 24 (in this case, there is an area where the event location 20 and the operating location 22 match (overlapping area), but that area does not overlap with the participating location 24), we request the provision of participating location information.

[0032] For example, in the above pattern d) (i.e., when the venue has not been decided), the system 1 solicits the provision of venue information. The solicitation of venue information is the same as the explanation for "when the operation venue information and the participation venue information match" in "a) When the specific information to be acquired is operation venue information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0033] Furthermore, in the case of the above-mentioned e) pattern (i.e., when the operation location has not been decided), the system 1 solicits the provision of operation location information. The solicitation of operation location information is the same as the explanation in "When the event location information and the participation location information match" in "b) When the specific information to be acquired is event location information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0034] Furthermore, in the case of the above-mentioned f) pattern (i.e., when the participation location has not been decided), the system 1 solicits the provision of participation location information. The solicitation of participation location information is the same as the explanation for "when the operation location information and the event location information match" in "a) When the specific information to be acquired is operation location information," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0035] In this way, in system 1, for example, one or more providers can each provide venue information to system 1, allowing the administrator to select the venue where they want to host the event, and participants can select the venue where they want to participate in the event. Furthermore, system 1 stores the participation location information where one or more participants each wish to participate, allowing the provider and / or administrator to understand the potential needs of participants in a event at a specified location. This allows the provider and administrator to hold a event in a location where a large number of participants have already expressed interest, thereby avoiding a situation where the event cannot be held because the minimum number of participants for the event has not been reached. Furthermore, system 1 allows the administrator to determine whether an area where venue location 20 and participation location 24 match exists before a specified event is held, allowing the administrator to determine in advance whether such an area exists and then request to host / manage the specified event.

[0036] The provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "information terminals") are devices that can be operated by the provider, the operator, and the participant (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "user"), respectively. The information terminals may be, for example, portable information terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets compatible with mobile communication systems. The information terminals may also be, for example, stationary personal computers (PCs), laptop PCs, notebook PCs, portable game consoles, home game consoles (stationary game devices), and / or dedicated game consoles. The communication network 5 is a communication network such as a mobile phone network and / or the Internet. The communication network 5 may also include communication networks such as wired LANs and wireless LANs. Details of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. However, it should be noted that the names and numerical values ​​in the above and following descriptions are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these proper names and numerical values, and that these proper names and numerical values ​​do not necessarily relate to real proper names and numerical values.

[0037] <Details of System 1> Fig. 2 shows an example of an outline of the functional configuration of the system according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3 shows an example of an outline of the data configuration of each storage section of the storage unit according to this embodiment.

[0038] [System 1 configuration overview] The system 1 according to this embodiment includes an information receiving unit 100 that receives predetermined information from the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14, a storage unit 102 that stores various information used in the system 1, a matching control unit 120 that controls processing such as matching of predetermined information related to a predetermined tournament, a notification unit 122 that notifies the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of the predetermined information, and a tournament control unit 124 that controls various processing such as the execution of the tournament. The storage unit 102 also includes a provider information storage unit 104 that stores information about the provider, an operator information storage unit 106 that stores information about the operator, a participant information storage unit 108 that stores information about the participants, and a tournament information storage unit 110 that stores information about the tournament. In this embodiment, a case where a smartphone is used as the information terminal will be mainly described as an example. The information terminal also includes at least an input unit (e.g., an input unit configured with a touch panel, etc.) that accepts input of specified information, an output unit (e.g., a display unit, audio output unit, vibration unit, etc. that output various types of information), and a communication unit capable of communicating with the server 3 (the configuration of the information terminal is not shown).

[0039] System 1 may not only have the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions in the same physical device or location, but also may have some of the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions installed in physically separate locations (whether in Japan or outside Japan). In this case, the components may be connected via a communication network such as the Internet. For example, system 1 may have some of the functions of the components performed by an external server. System 1 may also be configured as one or more servers. In this case, system 1 is configured by combining an information terminal, components of one server, and components of another server. In addition, in this embodiment, a collection of predetermined components can be considered as a single "information processing device," and system 1 may be formed as a collection of multiple information processing devices. The allocation of multiple functions required to realize system 1 according to this embodiment to one or more hardware devices can be determined appropriately in consideration of the processing capabilities of each hardware device and / or the specifications required for system 1. Furthermore, an information terminal may have some or all of the configuration and functions of server 3, or server 3 may have some of the configuration and functions of an information terminal. Furthermore, the various information stored in the storage unit 102 may be updated according to instructions or information from the provider, operator, participant, and / or the business operator operating the system 1 received via the input section of the information terminal, or may be updated as needed by obtaining predetermined information from a predetermined server located outside the system 1. The information terminal can also be connected to the server 3, other servers (servers different from server 3, not shown), and / or other information terminals, etc. via the communication network 5 via wired and / or wireless communication, allowing two-way communication, and transmitting and receiving predetermined data. The same applies to the server 3.

[0040] [System 1 configuration details] (Information receiving unit 100) The information receiving unit 100 receives predetermined information required for matching a tournament from the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 via the communication network 5. The predetermined information is operation location information from an operator wishing to run a tournament, regarding an operation location where the operator wishes to run the tournament; event location information from a provider wishing to provide a tournament location, regarding an event location where the operator wishes to hold the tournament; and / or participation location information from participants wishing to participate in the tournament, regarding an event location where the participant wishes to participate. The operation location information, event location information, and participation location information received by the information receiving unit 100 are each information at a stage where at least two locations selected from the operation location, event location, and participation location have not yet been matched. In other words, the information receiving unit 100 receives operation location information that does not match (does not correspond) with the event location information and / or participation location information, event location information that does not match (does not correspond) with the operation location information and / or participation location information, and participation location information that does not match (does not correspond) with the operation location information and / or participation location information. The predetermined information also includes provider information about the provider, operator information about the operator, and / or participant information about the participants.Furthermore, the predetermined information also includes tournament information about the tournament, and / or various information about the tournament and matching process.The information receiving unit 100 can also receive information (entry information) from the participants indicating their intention to participate in the tournament along with participation location information.

[0041] The information accepting unit 100 can also accept operation location information in association with a desired operation period, which is the period during which the organizer wishes to operate the tournament, accept venue location information in association with a desired hosting period, which is the period during which the provider wishes to hold the tournament, and / or accept participation location information in association with a desired participation period, which is the period during which the participants wish to participate in the tournament. Furthermore, the information accepting unit 100 can also accept participation location information from each of one or more participants. For example, the information accepting unit 100 may accept participation location information regarding the participation location at which each of the multiple participants wishes to participate in the tournament via the participant terminal 14 of each of the multiple participants. The information accepting unit 100 supplies the various accepted information to the storage unit 102 and the matching control unit 120.

[0042] (Storage Unit 102) The storage unit 102 stores various programs executed in the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, the participant terminal 14, and / or the server 3 and / or various data used in the various programs. Specifically, the storage unit 102 stores a program executed in the system 1 (matching program), various information supplied from each component of the system 1, and / or various information related to the matching process executed in the system 1. The storage unit 102 also stores predetermined information received by the information receiving unit 100 in a predetermined storage unit. The storage unit 102 then supplies the predetermined information to another component of the system 1 in response to a request from that component. Note that, in the various IDs described below, if one ID is associated with another ID and the other ID is associated with yet another ID, the predetermined information can be made available by tracing the IDs.

[0043] (Storage unit 102: Provider information storage section 104) The provider information storage unit 104 stores information such as provider information about the provider, information about the venue where the provider wishes to hold the event, the desired period and time period during which the provider wishes to hold the event, the number of people that can be accommodated at the venue, and the cost (usage fee) required to use the venue, in association with a provider ID that identifies the provider.

[0044] The provider information includes, for example, various information related to user registration indicating that the provider has registered as a user of the system 1, the provider's name or title, the name, address or residence of the provider's person in charge, contact telephone number and email address, and information regarding the venue that has been decided to be provided (note that if it has not been decided to provide the venue, this information is not stored). The information regarding the venue is information regarding the location where the provider wishes to hold the tournament (for example, a specified facility, etc.), such as the name of the venue, the address of the venue, and how to access the venue. The desired hosting period is information regarding the period during which the provider is permitted to hold the tournament at the venue (for example, one or more specified dates, or a period from one date to another date at a certain interval, etc.; the same applies below). The desired hosting time period is information regarding the time period during which the provider is permitted to hold the tournament at the venue. A time period can be specified by time (for example, from one time to another time, etc.), or by associating a predetermined name with a period from one time to another time at a certain interval (for example, 9:00 to 12:00 can be specified as "morning," 13:00 to 15:00 can be specified as "afternoon," 15:00 to 17:00 can be specified as "evening," 18:00 to 20:00 can be specified as "night," etc.) (the same applies below). Capacity is information regarding the number of people that can be accommodated in the venue, and cost is information regarding the cost that must be paid to the provider when a third party uses the venue.

[0045] (Storage unit 102: operator information storage section 106) The operator information storage unit 106 stores information such as operator information about the operator, information about the location where the operator wishes to operate, the desired operation period and desired operation time period, operation costs, and operation performance of tournaments that the operator has operated in the past, in association with an operator ID that identifies the operator.

[0046] The operator information includes, for example, various information related to user registration indicating that the operator has registered as a user of the system 1, the operator's name or title, the name, address or residence of the operator's person in charge, contact telephone number and email address, and information regarding the tournament that has been decided to be run (note that if it has not been decided to run the tournament, this information is not stored). Information regarding the operation location is information regarding the location where the operator wishes to run the tournament (for example, a specific location such as a specified facility or store, and / or a specific area). Information regarding the operation location may be information regarding a specific location or specific area identified by an address, or a specific area that includes a stop of a specified means of transportation (such as a train or bus) (for example, an area defined by the walking time from the stop). The desired operation period is information regarding the period during which the operator wishes to run the tournament at the operation location. The desired operation time period is information regarding the time period during which the operator wishes to run the tournament at the operation location. Furthermore, the cost is information regarding the costs required by the operator to run the tournament. The management record is information about tournament management that the manager has managed in the past (for example, the name of the tournament, the date and time of the tournament, the location, the number of participants in the tournament, etc.).

[0047] (Storage unit 102: Participant information storage section 108) The participant information storage unit 108 stores information such as participant information about the participant, information about the location where the participant wishes to participate, the participant's desired participation period, the participant's desired participation time zone, the costs the participant can bear when participating in the tournament, and the participant's participation history showing the participant's past participation in tournaments, in association with a participant ID that identifies the participant.

[0048] The participant information includes, for example, various pieces of information related to user registration indicating that the participant has registered as a user of the system 1, the participant's name, address or residence, contact telephone number and email address, and information related to the tournament in which the participant has decided to participate (note that if participation has not been decided, this information is not stored). Information related to the participation location is information related to a location desired by the participant and a location that the participant would be willing to participate in if a tournament were held at that location. Information related to the participation location may be information indicating a specific point or specific area such as a specified facility or store, or information related to a specified area including a specified transportation stop. Furthermore, if the participation location is a specified area, the participant's address or residence does not need to be included in the specified area. The desired participation period is information related to the period during which the participant wishes to participate in the tournament at the participation location. The desired participation time period is information related to the time during which the participant wishes to participate in the tournament at the participation location. Furthermore, the affordable expenses is information related to the expenses that the participant can afford to bear when participating in the tournament. The participation history is information about tournaments that the participant has participated in in the past and the participant's match results in those tournaments (for example, the tournament ID of the tournament, the name of the tournament, the date and time of the tournament, the venue, the participant's wins and losses, etc.).

[0049] (Storage unit 102: Tournament information storage section 110) The tournament information storage unit 110 stores tournament information about past tournaments, such as trading card game tournaments, in association with a tournament ID that identifies the tournament. The tournament information includes, for example, the tournament name, the tournament date and time, the venue (including information such as the costs required to provide the venue), the provider of the venue, the operator (including information such as the costs required to operate the venue), and participants (including information about each participant, the total number of participants, etc.).

[0050] (Matching control unit 120) The matching control unit 120 controls the matching process of at least two locations selected from the event location, the operation location, and the participation location, based on the event location information received by the information receiving unit 100 from the provider terminal 10, the operation location information received by the operator terminal 12, and / or the participation location information received by the participant terminal 14. In other words, the matching control unit 120 controls the matching process based on various information received by the information receiving unit 100 and stored in the storage unit 102.

[0051] Here, the matching controlled by the matching control unit 120 refers to determining a predetermined location where the location contents indicated by at least two pieces of location information from among a plurality of pieces of location information are compatible with each other. For example, the matching control unit 120 controls matching between a venue location and an operating location, matching between an operating location and a participating location, matching between a venue location and a participating location, or matching between a venue location, an operating location, and a participating location.

[0052] That is, the matching control unit 120 executes matching of one or more of the following patterns. i) Matching operation locations with event locations based on operation location information and event location information. ii) Matching operating locations with participating locations based on operating location information and participating location information. iii) Matching venues and participating venues based on venue information and participating venue information. iv) Matching operating locations, venue locations, and participating locations based on operating location information, venue location information, and participating location information.

[0053] Furthermore, the matching control unit 120 may perform matching using the desired operation period, desired hosting period, and / or desired participation period together with the operation location information, event location information, and / or participation location information. For example, the matching control unit 120 may perform the matching of i) above when there is a period in which the desired operation period and the desired hosting period overlap, perform the matching of ii) above when there is a period in which the desired operation period and the desired participation period overlap, and perform the matching of iii) above when there is a period in which the desired hosting period and the desired participation period overlap. Furthermore, the matching control unit 120 may perform the matching of iv) above when there is a period in which the desired operation period, the desired hosting period, and the desired participation period overlap.

[0054] Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 100 receives participation location information from multiple participants, the matching control unit 120 may perform matching using participation location information related to the participation location that is most frequently requested (most popular participation location information). In this case, the matching control unit 120 may perform matching using the most popular participation location information in each of the above-mentioned i) to iv) matching. Furthermore, the matching control unit 120 may perform matching using, in addition to or separately from the operation location information, venue location information, participation location information, desired operation period, desired hosting period, and / or desired participation period, fees that must be paid to the provider, fees required by the organizer to operate the tournament, and / or fees that the participant can bear to participate in the tournament. The matching control unit 120 supplies information indicating the matching results to the notification unit 122 and the tournament control unit 124.

[0055] The matching control unit 120 may execute the following processes together with or separately from the execution of the matching process. The matching control unit 120 may notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of the results of each of the following processes via the notification unit 122. - User registration process for providers, operators, and participants to System 1. A process of outputting a ranking of locations desired by participants and desired for hosting a tournament based on one or more pieces of participation location information. A process of extracting locations where a tournament has not yet been held (unhosted locations) and / or outputting the number of times a tournament has been held at a location in the past, based on one or more pieces of participating location information and information on locations where tournaments have been held in the past stored in the tournament information storage unit 110. If the event location indicated by the event location information stored in the provider information storage unit 104 matches the unhosted location, and / or if the operation location corresponding to the operation location information stored in the operator information storage unit 106 matches the unhosted location, a process of outputting the number of times the event location information has been stored in the provider information storage unit 104 and / or the number of times the operation location information has been stored in the operator information storage unit 106 together with the unhosted location. Note that in this case, although there has been no record of a tournament being held at the unhosted location, the higher the number of times, the greater the desire of the operator to operate a tournament and / or the provider to provide a venue. A process of outputting the operating performance of the operator that has provided the operating location information received by the information receiving unit 100 and that is stored in the operator information storage unit 106 in association with the operator ID of the operator.

[0056] (Notification section 122) The notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of the matching results in the matching control unit 120 and / or information requesting the collection of specified location information via the communication network 5.

[0057] Specifically, when the matching control unit 120 matches an operation location and a venue location, the notification unit 122 notifies the participant terminal 14 of the participant of information inviting participants to participate in the tournament at the matched operation location and venue location. As a result, when the location at which the participant wishes to participate matches or overlaps with the matched operation location and venue location, the participant can supply information to the tournament control unit 124 via the participant terminal 14 indicating their desire to participate in the tournament.

[0058] Furthermore, when the matching control unit 120 matches an operating location and a participating location, the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10 of the provider of information soliciting the provision of an event location at the matched operating location and participating location. As a result, when the event location that the provider wishes to provide or the event location that the provider is willing to provide coincides or overlaps with the matched locations of the operating location and participating location, the provider can supply information to the tournament control unit 124 via the provider terminal 10 requesting the provision of a specified event location for the tournament.

[0059] Furthermore, when the matching control unit 120 matches the event location and the participation location, the notification unit 122 notifies the operator terminal 12 of the operator of information inviting participation in the operation at the matched event location and participation location. As a result, when the operation location that the operator wishes to operate coincides with or overlaps with the matched event location and participation location, the operator can supply information to the tournament control unit 124 via the operator terminal 12 indicating that the operator wishes to operate the tournament at the matched event location and participation location.

[0060] Furthermore, when the information accepting unit 100 accepts participation location information, the notification unit 122 may supply the provider terminal 10 and the operator terminal 12 with information indicating that there are potential participants at the participation location indicated by the participation location information. Here, when the information accepting unit 100 accepts entry information from a predetermined number of participants or more for one piece of participation location information, the notification unit 122 may supply the provider terminal 10 and the operator terminal 12 with information indicating that there are a predetermined number of potential participants or more at the participation location. This allows the operator and provider to predict that they will participate in the operation of the tournament at the participation location and that the tournament will be held with a high degree of certainty by providing the participation location as a venue.

[0061] (Tournament Control Section 124) If the matching result by the matching control unit 120 indicates that the hosting location, operating location, and / or participation location match, the tournament control unit 124 decides to hold a specific tournament and executes processing (hosting processing) related to the holding of the decided specific tournament. Specifically, after the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 of the predetermined information, the tournament control unit 124 executes processing related to the holding of the tournament when participants are determined based on information soliciting participation in the tournament, when the hosting location is determined based on information soliciting the provision of a hosting location, or when the operator is determined based on information soliciting participation in the operation. For example, if the tournament control unit 124 decides to hold a specific tournament, it automatically decides that participants whose hosting location, operating location, and participation location match will participate in the specific tournament. The tournament control unit 124 stores information related to the decision to participate in the specific tournament as part of the participant information in the participant information storage unit 108, in association with the participant ID of the participant whose participation was automatically decided. Similarly, the tournament control unit 124 decides whether the organizer will run the tournament and whether the provider will provide a venue, and stores information about the venue that has been decided to be run as one piece of operator information in the organizer information storage unit 106, and stores information about the venue that has been decided to be provided as one piece of provider information in the provider information storage unit 104.

[0062] The tournament control unit 124 notifies the provider terminal 10, the organizer terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 via the notification unit 122, for example, information indicating that a tournament has been decided to be held, information about the tournament (for example, the tournament name, tournament location, date and time, number of participants, etc.), and / or various other information about the tournament. The tournament control unit 124 may also provide a predetermined two-dimensional barcode to the participant terminal 14 as a participation ticket for the tournament. On the day of the tournament, participants can carry out procedures to participate in the tournament by displaying the two-dimensional barcode on their participant terminal 14 and having a predetermined reading device prepared by the tournament organizer read the two-dimensional barcode. After the tournament ends, the tournament control unit 124 stores various information about the tournament (tournament information) in the tournament information storage unit 110.

[0063] [System 1 processing flow] FIG. 4 shows an example of an outline of the flow of the matching process executed in the system according to this embodiment.

[0064] (First example assuming that the information receiving unit 100 acquires operating location information) First, the information receiving unit 100 receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12, and also receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10 or receives participation location information from the participant via the participant terminal 14 (step 10; hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as "S"). The information receiving unit 100 receives at least one of event location information and participation location information. The information receiving unit 100 stores the received information in the storage unit 102 and also supplies it to the matching control unit 120. The information receiving unit 100 stores the operation location information in the operator information storage unit 106 in association with the operator ID, stores the event location information in the provider information storage unit 104 in association with the provider ID, and stores the participation location information in the participant information storage unit 108 in association with the participant ID (the same applies below).

[0065] (Example 1: Accepting venue information) When the information receiving unit 100 receives the event location information, the matching control unit 120 matches the operation location information with the event location information (S12). For example, in this case, the information receiving unit 100 has already received the operation location information. Therefore, the matching control unit 120 notifies the operator terminal 12 that it has newly received the event location information from the provider (that is, that the provider has registered the event location information). Note that in this case, the operation location corresponding to the operation location information and the event location corresponding to the event location information match. The operator then refers to the information notified to the operator terminal 12 and provides information (an offer) indicating that it will undertake the operation of the tournament at the event location indicated by the event location information to the provider terminal 10 of the provider via the operator terminal 12. The provider refers to the offer received in the provider terminal 10 and provides information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. When the matching control unit 120 receives information from the provider terminal 10 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that the operating location information and the event location information are matched (matching established), and when it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0066] The matching control unit 120 may supply the received operation location information to the provider terminal 10, and a provider who has referenced the operation location information may supply information (offer) to the operator terminal 12 of the operator via the provider terminal 10, indicating that they can provide a venue where a tournament can be held at the operation location indicated by the operation location information. In this case, the operator references the offer received at the operator terminal 12 and supplies information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. When the matching control unit 120 receives information indicating that the offer is accepted from the operator terminal 12, it determines that the event location information and the operation location information are matched (matching established), and when it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0067] If the operation location information and the event location information do not match, the matching control unit 120 ends the matching process, and the notification unit 122 notifies the operator terminal 12 and / or the provider terminal 10 of information indicating that new or continued operation location information and / or event location information can be accepted (S14). Thereafter, steps S10 and onward are repeated. Note that if the predetermined information is not accepted in S10, the information accepting unit 100 waits until the predetermined information is accepted (the same applies to S10 in the other examples below). Furthermore, if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired operation period, the matching control unit 120 may allow event location information to be accepted until the end of the desired operation period.

[0068] On the other hand, if the operation location information and the event location information match, the matching control unit 120 terminates the matching process, and the notification unit 122 uses information about the location where the operation location and the event location are matched (matching location) to notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of information inviting participants to the event at the matching location (S14). If the participant refers to the notification and wishes to participate in the event, they provide information wishing to participate in the event (participation request information) to the event control unit 124 via the participant terminal 14. The event control unit 124 executes the matching process when it receives this participation request information, and if a match is established, it determines that the operation location, the event location, and the participation location are matched, and executes the event hosting process (S18). Specifically, the matching process may be the following process. First, the event control unit 124 notifies the operator terminal 12 and / or the provider terminal 10 that it has newly received participation request information (the participation request information includes the participation location information) from the participant (i.e., the participant has registered the participation location information). In this case, the participation location corresponding to the participation location information matches the venue and operation location. The organizer then references the information notified to the organizer terminal 12 and provides information (an offer) requesting participation in the tournament at the participation location indicated by the participation location information to the participant terminal 14 via the organizer terminal 12. The provider may also provide the offer to the participant terminal 14 via the provider terminal 10. That is, at least one of the organizer terminal 12 and the provider terminal 10 provides the offer to the participant. The participant references the offer received at the participant terminal 14 and provides the tournament control unit 124 with information indicating whether or not to accept the offer. If the tournament control unit 124 receives information from the participant terminal 14 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that a match has been made (matching established) (Yes in S16), and if it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that a match has not been made (matching not established) (No in S16). The tournament control unit 124 acquires participation location information from each of the multiple participant terminals 14, and when the number of acquired multiple pieces of participation location information reaches a predetermined reference value (for example, when the number of pieces of participation location information acquired corresponds to the reference number of people).As an example, the reference value may be a value that corresponds to the minimum number of participants for the event.) A matching process is executed, and if a match is made, it may be determined that the operation location, the event location, and the participating location are matched.

[0069] On the other hand, if the tournament control unit 124 does not accept participation information (if matching is not established), that is, if participation information is not supplied from the participant terminal 14 (No in S16), it will wait until participation information is accepted. Note that if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired operation period and / or desired hosting period, the tournament control unit 124 may refer to the desired operation period, the desired hosting period, and the period in which the desired operation period and the desired hosting period overlap, and may make participation information available up until the earliest end of each period. Furthermore, a desired operation time zone may be used instead of the desired operation period, and a desired hosting time zone may be used instead of the desired hosting period. Furthermore, if a desired participation period is used, a desired participation time zone may be used instead of the desired participation period (the same applies below).

[0070] (Example 1, part 2: Accepting location information) Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 100 receives the participation location information, the matching control unit 120 matches the operation location information with the participation location information (S12). For example, in this case, the information receiving unit 100 has already received the operation location information. Therefore, the matching control unit 120 notifies the operator terminal 12 that it has newly received participation location information from the participant (that is, that the participant has registered the participation location information). Note that in this case, the operation location corresponding to the operation location information and the participation location corresponding to the participation location information match. The operator then references the information notified to the operator terminal 12 and provides information (an offer) indicating that it will undertake the operation of the tournament at the participation location indicated by the participation location information to the participant terminal 14 of the participant via the operator terminal 12. The participant references the offer received at the participant terminal 14 and provides information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. When the matching control unit 120 receives information from the participant terminal 14 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that the operating location information and the participation location information are matched (matching established), and when it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0071] The matching control unit 120 may supply the received operation location information to the participant terminal 14, and may supply information (offer) indicating that a participant who referenced the operation location information will participate in the tournament at the operation location indicated by the operation location information to the operator terminal 12 of the operator via the participant terminal 14. In this case, the operator references the offer received at the operator terminal 12 and supplies information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. If the matching control unit 120 receives information indicating acceptance of the offer from the operator terminal 12, it determines that the participation location information and the operation location information have matched (matching established), and if it receives information indicating non-acceptance, it determines that no match has been made (matching not established).

[0072] If the operation location information and the participation location information do not match, the matching control unit 120 terminates the matching process, and the notification unit 122 notifies the operator terminal 12 and / or the participant terminal 14 of information indicating that new or continued operation location information and / or participation location information can be accepted (S14). Thereafter, the steps from S10 onwards are repeated. Furthermore, if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired operation period, the matching control unit 120 may allow participation location information to be accepted until the end of the desired operation period.

[0073] On the other hand, if the operation location information and the participation location information match, the matching control unit 120 terminates the matching process, and the notification unit 122 uses information about the location where the operation location and the participation location are matched (matching location) to notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of information soliciting the provision of a venue for the tournament at the matching location (S14). The provider refers to the notification, and if they wish to provide a venue for the tournament, they provide venue information of a venue that can be used for the tournament to the tournament control unit 124 via the provider terminal 10. The tournament control unit 124 executes the matching process when it receives this venue information, and if a match is established, it determines that the operation location, the event location, and the participation location are matched, and executes the tournament hosting process (S18). Specifically, the matching process may be the following process. First, the tournament control unit 124 notifies the operator terminal 12 and / or the participant terminal 14 that it has newly received venue information from the provider (i.e., that the provider has registered the venue information). In this case, the event location corresponding to the event location information matches the participation location and the operation location. The event manager then references the information notified to the event manager terminal 12 and provides the provider terminal 10 with information (offer) requesting the provision of a venue for the event at the event location indicated by the event location information via the event manager terminal 12. The participant may also provide the offer to the provider terminal 10 via the participant terminal 14. That is, at least one of the event manager terminal 12 and the participant terminal 14 provides the offer to the provider. The provider references the offer received at the provider terminal 10 and provides the event control unit 124 with information indicating whether or not to accept the offer. If the event control unit 124 receives information from the provider terminal 10 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that a match has been made (matching established) (Yes in S16), and if it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that a match has not been made (matching not established) (No in S16).

[0074] On the other hand, if the tournament control unit 124 does not accept the venue information (if matching is not established), that is, if the tournament control unit 124 does not receive the venue information from the provider terminal 10 (No in S16), it will wait until it accepts the venue information. Note that if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired operation period and / or a desired participation period, the tournament control unit 124 may refer to the desired operation period, the desired participation period, and the period in which the desired operation period and the desired participation period overlap, and allow the tournament control unit 124 to accept the venue information up until the earliest end of each period.

[0075] (Second example assuming that the information receiving unit 100 acquires venue information) First, the information receiving unit 100 receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10, and also receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12, or receives participation location information from the participants via the participant terminal 14 (S10). The information receiving unit 100 receives at least one of the operation location information and participation location information. The information receiving unit 100 stores the received information in the storage unit 102 and also supplies it to the matching control unit 120.

[0076] (Second example 1: When accepting operation location information) When the information receiving unit 100 receives the operation location information, the matching control unit 120 matches the event location information with the operation location information (S12). For example, in this case, the information receiving unit 100 has already received the event location information. Therefore, the matching control unit 120 notifies the provider terminal 10 that it has newly received the operation location information from the operator (that is, that the operator has registered the operation location information). Note that in this case, the event location corresponding to the event location information and the operation location corresponding to the operation location information match. The provider then refers to the information notified to the provider terminal 10 and provides information (offer) indicating that it can provide a venue for the tournament at the operation location indicated by the operation location information to the operator terminal 12 of the operator via the provider terminal 10. The operator refers to the offer received at the operator terminal 12 and provides information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. When the matching control unit 120 receives information from the operator terminal 12 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that the venue information and the operating location information match (matching established), and when it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0077] The matching control unit 120 may supply the received event location information to the operator terminal 12, and an operator who has referenced the event location information may supply information (offer) indicating that they are available to manage the tournament at the event location indicated by the event location information to the provider terminal 10 of the provider via the operator terminal 12. In this case, the provider references the offer received at the provider terminal 10 and supplies information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. If the matching control unit 120 receives information indicating that the offer is accepted from the provider terminal 10, it determines that the operation location information and the event location information are matched (matching established), and if it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0078] The steps from S12 onwards are the same as the steps from "Matching operation location information with event location information (S12)" onwards in "First Example 1" of "First Example Presuming that Information Accepting Unit 100 Acquires Operation Location Information", and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted. Note that, if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired event period, the matching control unit 120 may allow operation location information to be accepted until the end of the desired event period.

[0079] (Example 2: Accepting location information) Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 100 receives the participation location information, the matching control unit 120 matches the event location information with the participation location information (S12). For example, in this case, the information receiving unit 100 has already received the event location information. Therefore, the matching control unit 120 notifies the provider terminal 10 that it has newly received participation location information from the participant (that is, that the participant has registered the participation location information). Note that in this case, the event location corresponding to the event location information and the participation location corresponding to the participation location information match. The provider then refers to the content notified to the provider terminal 10 and provides information (an offer) indicating a request to participate in the tournament at the participation location indicated by the participation location information to the participant terminal 14 of the participant via the provider terminal 10. The participant refers to the offer received at the participant terminal 14 and provides information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. When the matching control unit 120 receives information from the participant terminal 14 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that the venue information and the participation location information match (matching established), and when it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that the match is not established (matching not established).

[0080] The matching control unit 120 may supply the received venue information to the participant terminal 14, and may supply information (offer) to the provider terminal 10 of the provider indicating that participants who have referenced the venue information can participate in the tournament at the venue indicated by the venue information via the participant terminal 14. In this case, the provider references the offer received at the provider terminal 10, and supplies information indicating whether or not to accept the offer to the matching control unit 120. If the matching control unit 120 receives information indicating acceptance of the offer from the provider terminal 10, it determines that the participation venue information and the venue information are matched (matching established), and if it receives information indicating non-acceptance, it determines that no match is made (matching not established).

[0081] If the event location information and the participation location information do not match, the matching control unit 120 ends the matching process, and the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10 and / or the participant terminal 14 of information indicating that new or continued event location information and / or participation location information is available to be accepted (S14). Thereafter, the steps from S10 onwards are repeated. Furthermore, if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired event period, the matching control unit 120 may allow participation location information to be accepted until the end of the desired event period.

[0082] On the other hand, if the event location information and the participation location information match, the matching control unit 120 ends the matching process, and the notification unit 122 uses information about the location where the event location and the participation location are matched (matching location) to notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of information recruiting a person to manage the event at the matching location (S14). The operator refers to the notification, and if they wish to manage the event at the matching location, they provide information to the event control unit 124 via the operator terminal 12 that they wish to manage the event at the matching location. The event control unit 124 executes the matching process when it receives the information, and if a match is established, it determines that the event location, participation location, and operation location have been matched, and executes the event hosting process (S18). Specifically, the matching process may be the following process. First, the event control unit 124 notifies the provider terminal 10 and / or the participant terminal 14 that it has newly received operation location information from the operator (i.e., that the operator has registered the operation location information). In this case, the operation location corresponding to the operation location information matches the participation location and the event location. The provider then references the information notified to the provider terminal 10 and provides information (offer) to the operator terminal 12 via the provider terminal 10 requesting that the tournament be run at the operation location indicated by the operation location information. The participant may also provide the offer to the operator terminal 12 via the participant terminal 14. That is, at least one of the provider terminal 10 and the participant terminal 14 provides the offer to the operator. The operator references the offer received at the operator terminal 12 and provides the tournament control unit 124 with information indicating whether or not to accept the offer. If the tournament control unit 124 receives information from the operator terminal 12 indicating that the offer is accepted, it determines that a match has been made (matching established) (Yes in S16), and if it receives information indicating that the offer is not accepted, it determines that a match has not been made (matching not established) (No in S16).

[0083] On the other hand, if the tournament control unit 124 does not accept the information (if matching is not established), that is, if there is no supply of information from the operator terminal 12 indicating a desire to operate the event at the matching location (No in S16), the tournament control unit 124 waits until it accepts the information. Note that if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired period for holding an event and / or a desired period for participating, the tournament control unit 124 may refer to the desired period for holding an event, the desired period for participating, and the period in which the desired period for holding an event and the desired period for participating overlap, and may make it possible to accept information indicating a desire to operate the event until the earliest end of each period.

[0084] (Third example assuming that the information receiving unit 100 acquires participation location information) First, the information receiving unit 100 receives participation location information from participants via the participant terminal 14, and also receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10, or receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12 (S10). The information receiving unit 100 receives at least one of the event location information and operation location information. The information receiving unit 100 stores the received information in the storage unit 102 and also supplies it to the matching control unit 120.

[0085] (Example 3-1: Accepting venue information) When the information receiving unit 100 receives the event venue information, the matching control unit 120 matches the participation venue information with the event venue information (S12). The steps from S12 onwards are the same as the steps from "Matching event venue information with participation venue information (S12)" onwards in "Second Example 2" of "Second Example Presuming that the Information Receiving Unit 100 Acquires Event Venue Information", and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted. Note that when the information receiving unit 100 has received a desired participation period, the matching control unit 120 may allow event venue information to be accepted until the end of the desired participation period.

[0086] (Example 2 of 3: Accepting location information) Furthermore, when the information receiving unit 100 receives the operation location information, the matching control unit 120 matches the participation location information with the operation location information (S12). The steps from S12 onwards are the same as the steps from "Matching operation location information with participation location information (S12)" onwards in "First Example 2" of "First Example Presuming that the Information Receiving Unit 100 Acquires Operation Location Information", and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted. Note that when the information receiving unit 100 has received a desired participation period, the matching control unit 120 may allow operation location information to be accepted until the end of the desired participation period.

[0087] Furthermore, if the information accepting unit 100 does not accept the event location information, the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10 of information prompting the provider to provide the event location information. Also, if the information accepting unit 100 does not accept the operation location information, the notification unit 122 notifies the operator terminal 12 of information prompting the provider to provide the operation location information. Here, if the number of pieces of participation location information accepted by the information accepting unit 100 reaches a predetermined reference value, the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10 of information prompting the provider to provide the event location information and notifies the operator terminal 12 of information prompting the provider to provide the operation location information. Note that if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired participation period, the matching control unit 120 may notify the provider terminal 10 of information prompting the provider to provide the event location information and the operator terminal 12 of information prompting the provider to provide the operation location information until the end of the desired participation period.

[0088] (Example of matching based on venue information, operating venue information, and participating venue information) The information receiving unit 100 receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10, receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12, and receives participation location information from the participants via the participant terminal 14 (S10). The information receiving unit 100 stores the received information in the storage unit 102 and supplies it to the matching control unit 120. The matching control unit 120 performs matching using the event location information, operation location information, and participation location information received by the information receiving unit 100 (S12). For example, after an offer requesting tournament operation (operation offer) is supplied from the provider terminal 10 to the operator terminal 12 and an offer requesting tournament participation (participation offer) is supplied to the participant terminal 14, the matching control unit 120 may determine that a match has been made (matching has been established) if it receives information indicating acceptance of the operation offer from the operator via the operator terminal 12 and information indicating acceptance of the participation offer from the participant via the participant terminal 14. Furthermore, after an offer requesting the provision of a venue (provision offer) is supplied from the operator terminal 12 to the provider terminal 10 and a participation offer is supplied to the participant terminal 14, the matching control unit 120 may determine that a match has been made if it receives information indicating acceptance of the provision offer from the provider via the provider terminal 10 and information indicating acceptance of the participation offer from the participant via the participant terminal 14. Furthermore, after an offer is supplied from the participant terminal 14 to the provider terminal 10 and an operation offer is supplied to the operator terminal 12, the matching control unit 120 may determine that a match has been made if it receives information indicating acceptance of the provision offer from the provider via the provider terminal 10 and information indicating acceptance of the operation offer from the operator via the operator terminal 12.

[0089] If the event venue information, operation venue information, and participation venue information do not match, the matching control unit 120 terminates the matching process, and the notification unit 122 notifies the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14 of information indicating that new or continued event venue information, operation venue information, and / or participation venue information is available to be accepted (S14). Thereafter, the steps from S10 onwards are repeated. Note that if the information accepting unit 100 has accepted a desired event venue period, a desired operation period, and / or a desired participation period, the matching control unit 120 may allow event venue information, operation venue information, and / or participation venue information to be accepted until the earliest end of the desired event venue period, the desired operation period, and / or the desired participation period.

[0090] On the other hand, if the event venue information, operation venue information, and participation venue information match, the matching control unit 120 ends the matching process, and the notification unit 122 uses information about the location where the event venue, operation venue, and participation venue are matched (matching venue) to notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 of information indicating that they have been matched (S14). In this case, since the event venue information, operation venue information, and participation venue information match (Yes in S16), the tournament control unit 124 executes the tournament hosting process (S18).

[0091] [Variation 1 of the processing flow of System 1] FIG. 5 shows an example of an outline of a modified example of the flow of the matching process executed in the system according to this embodiment.

[0092] First, the information receiving unit 100 receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12, receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10, and further receives participation location information from the participants via the participant terminal 14 (S20). The matching control unit 120 makes the operation location information, event location information, and participation location information, along with information that can identify the person who provided each piece of information, accessible on each terminal. The matching control unit 120 then determines whether an operation offer from the operator has been provided to the provider terminal 10 and / or the participant terminal 14 via the operator terminal 12, whether a provision offer from the provider has been provided to the operator terminal 12 and / or the participant terminal 14 via the provider terminal 10, and whether a participation offer from the participant has been provided to the provider terminal 10 and / or the operator terminal 12 via the participant terminal 14 (S22). If at least one of the three offers, the operation offer, the provision offer, and the participation offer, has not been received (No in S22), the matching control unit 120 waits until all three offers are received. On the other hand, if there are three offers (Yes in S22), the matching control unit 120 acquires information indicating whether or not to accept one offer from two other terminals different from the terminal that provided the offer (S24). If the matching control unit 120 acquires information indicating that the offer will be accepted from the other two terminals (Yes in S24), the matching control unit 120 determines that matching has been established (S26). Thereafter, for example, as in the description of FIG. 4, the tournament control unit 124 executes processing to hold a tournament (S30). On the other hand, if the matching control unit 120 does not acquire information indicating that the offer will be accepted from the other two terminals (No in S24), the matching control unit 120 determines that matching has not been established (S28). Thereafter, the system 1 repeats the steps from S22 onwards.

[0093] [Variation 2 of the processing flow of System 1] FIG. 6 shows an example of an outline of another modified example of the flow of the matching process executed in the system according to this embodiment.

[0094] First, the information receiving unit 100 receives operation location information from the operator via the operator terminal 12, receives event location information from the provider via the provider terminal 10, and further receives participation location information from the participants via the participant terminal 14 (S40). The information receiving unit 100 stores each piece of received information in a predetermined storage unit of the storage unit 102. Then, the matching control unit 120 acquires information on the conditions (desired conditions) desired by each party (i.e., the provider, the operator, and / or the participants) via the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and / or the participant terminal 14. The information on the desired conditions may be, for example, at least one piece of information (e.g., the event location, the desired event period, the desired event time zone, etc.) stored in the provider information storage unit 104 for the provider, at least one piece of information (e.g., the event location, the desired event period, the desired event time zone, etc.) stored in the operator information storage unit 106 for the operator, and at least one piece of information (e.g., the event location, the desired event period, the desired event time zone, etc.) stored in the participant information storage unit 108 for the participants. The matching control unit 120 stores the acquired desired conditions in a predetermined storage unit of the storage unit 102. For example, when the matching control unit 120 acquires information on the venue as the provider's desired conditions, it stores the acquired information on the venue in the provider information storage unit 104; when the matching control unit 120 acquires information on the operation venue as the manager's desired conditions, it stores the acquired information on the operation venue in the manager information storage unit 106; and when the matching control unit 120 acquires information on the participation venue as the participant's desired conditions, it stores the acquired information on the participation venue in the participant information storage unit 108.

[0095] The matching control unit 120 searches for location information (location information) that matches the desired conditions of one party, based on the desired conditions received via one terminal (S42). For example, the matching control unit 120 receives information on an operation location as the operator's desired conditions via the operator terminal 12, and verifies, by referring to the storage unit 102, whether information on an event location that matches the desired conditions has been received from the provider and whether information on a participation location that matches the desired conditions has been received from the participant. If the matching control unit 120 has received information on an event location and information on a participation location that matches the desired conditions, it determines that location information that matches the desired conditions exists. Furthermore, the matching control unit 120 receives information on an event location as the provider's desired conditions via the provider terminal 10, and verifies, by referring to the storage unit 102, whether information on an operation location that matches the desired conditions has been received from the operator and whether information on a participation location that matches the desired conditions has been received from the participant. If the matching control unit 120 has received information on an operation location and information on a participation location that matches the desired conditions, it determines that location information that matches the desired conditions exists. Furthermore, the matching control unit 120 receives information on the participation location as a desired condition of the participant via the participant terminal 14, and checks whether information on the event location that matches the desired conditions has been received from the provider and whether information on the operation location has been received from the operator by referring to the storage unit 102. If information on the event location and operation location that match the desired conditions has been received, the matching control unit 120 determines that location information that matches the desired conditions exists.

[0096] When the matching control unit 120 determines that location information matching the desired conditions exists (Yes in S42), it determines whether the party has already registered as a user in the system 1 (S44). That is, when the party uses the system 1 via the party's terminal, the matching control unit 120 determines whether the party has already registered as a user in the system 1. For example, the matching control unit 120 acquires information about the party (e.g., name, etc.) via the party's terminal and determines whether the acquired information is stored in the storage unit 102. If the acquired information is stored in the storage unit 102, the matching control unit 120 determines that the party has already registered as a user; if the acquired information is not stored, the matching control unit 120 determines that the party has not yet registered as a user. Note that the matching control unit 120 may execute the process of S44 before the process of S40 or between the process of S40 and the process of S42.

[0097] If the party in question has not registered as a user (No in S44), the matching control unit 120 receives predetermined information about the party in question via the party's terminal (for example, provider information if the party in question is a provider, operator information if the party in question is an operator, or participant information if the party in question is a participant) and executes user registration (S48). The matching control unit 120 executes user registration by storing the received predetermined information in a predetermined storage unit of the storage unit 102 in association with an ID that identifies the party in question (for example, a provider ID if the party in question is a provider, an operator ID if the party in question is an operator, or a participant ID if the party in question is a participant). After S48, the steps from S46 onwards are executed.

[0098] If the matching control unit 120 determines that the one party has already registered as a user (Yes in S44), it supplies the one party's terminal with information (offer promotion information) that prompts the one party to send a predetermined offer to each of the terminals of the other one or more parties based on the one party's desired conditions. The one party, having referenced the offer promotion information supplied to the one or more parties via the one party's terminal, sends the predetermined offer to the terminals of the other one or more parties via its own terminal (S46). For example, the operator supplies an operating offer to the provider terminal 10 and / or participant terminal 14 via the operator terminal 12, the provider supplies a providing offer to the operator terminal 12 and / or participant terminal 14 via the provider terminal 10, and the participant supplies a participation offer to the provider terminal 10 and / or operator terminal 12 via the participant terminal 14.

[0099] Then, the matching control unit 120 acquires information indicating whether or not to accept the offer from two other terminals different from the terminal that provided the offer (S50). If the matching control unit 120 acquires information indicating that the offer will be accepted from the other two terminals (Yes in S50), the matching control unit 120 determines that matching has been established (S52). Thereafter, for example, as in the description of FIG. 4, the tournament control unit 124 executes the tournament hosting process (S56). On the other hand, if the matching control unit 120 does not acquire information indicating that the offer will be accepted from at least one of the other two terminals (No in S50), the matching control unit 120 determines that matching has not been established (S54). Then, the steps from S42 onwards are repeated.

[0100] When the information receiving unit 100 receives new operation location information, event location information, and / or participation location information (S40), the matching control unit 120 may notify the provider terminal 10, the operator terminal 12, and the participant terminal 14 that the specified information has been newly received. Then, the parties who refer to the notification on their own terminals may search for location information that matches their desired conditions from the specified information newly received by the information receiving unit 100 (S42).

[0101] [program] Each of the components of the system 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be realized by having a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) execute a program (a program capable of executing matching in a predetermined tournament), that is, by software processing. Alternatively, the components can be realized by writing the program in advance into hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC), an electronic component. The processor is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc. Alternatively, software and hardware can be used together.

[0102] That is, the program according to this embodiment is a program for causing a computer having a processor and memory to execute a matching process related to a predetermined tournament. The program according to this embodiment (matching program) can be pre-installed in, for example, an IC or a ROM. The program can also be provided as a computer program by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor recording medium. The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. Furthermore, the program can be pre-stored on a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and provided by downloading it via the communication network.

[0103] The program according to this embodiment operates on a CPU or the like to cause the program to function as the information receiving unit 100, storage unit 102, matching control unit 120, notification unit 122, and tournament control unit 124, etc., as described in Figures 1 to 6.

[0104] [Effects of the embodiment] The system 1 according to this embodiment can perform matching for hosting a specified tournament using venue information received from the provider, operating venue information received from the operator, and / or participation venue information received from the participants. Therefore, for example, from the operator's perspective, if the operating venue where the operator wishes to operate the tournament matches with a venue where a tournament can be held, the operator can attract participants to the matched venue and hold the tournament with a high degree of accuracy. Furthermore, if the operating venue matches with the participation venue where participants wish to participate, the operator who wishes to run the tournament and the participants who wish to participate in the tournament already exist at the matched venue, so the provider can hold the tournament with a high degree of accuracy simply by providing the venue at that venue. By allowing the venue to be used for a tournament, the provider can also shorten the period during which the venue is not in use.

[0105] Furthermore, from the provider's perspective, if the venue that the provider wishes to provide matches the operating venue, the event can be held with a high probability by attracting participants to the matched venue. On the other hand, if the venue and participating venue match, the venue that will hold the event and the participants who wish to participate in the event at that venue already exist at the matched venue, so the organizer can hold the event with a high probability simply by applying to run the event at that venue (in other words, the organizer can rent the venue from the provider, assuming that the event can be held with a high probability).

[0106] Furthermore, system 1 can acquire information about the locations where participants wish to participate in a tournament from multiple participants. System 1 can also make the participation location information accessible on both provider terminal 10 and operator terminal 12. This allows system 1 to allow providers and / or operators to know in advance which locations or areas the tournament should be held in to make it easier for participants to participate in the tournament. In other words, system 1 can clarify where participants' potential needs for hosting a tournament exist. Therefore, system 1 can lower the hurdles for providers to provide a venue at a location desired by participants, or for operators to apply to run the venue. Note that if the provider is, for example, a local government, system 1 can be used to revitalize a town by holding a specified tournament by selecting a facility owned by the local government (for example, a facility with a monthly occupancy rate below a predetermined monthly occupancy rate) as the venue.

[0107] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, the technical elements of the above-described embodiments may be applied independently, or may be divided into multiple parts, such as program components and hardware components, and then applied.

[0108] Additionally, the functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to perform or executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the described functions. When the hardware is a processor, which is considered a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0109] The program according to this embodiment can also be referred to in the following appendix, which should not be confused with the claims.

[0110] (Additional note 1) venue information from a provider wishing to provide a venue for a tournament, regarding the venue where the provider wishes to host the tournament; Location information from an operator wishing to run the tournament regarding the location where the operator wishes to run the tournament; an information receiving unit that receives, from a participant who wishes to participate in the tournament, participation location information regarding the participation location where the participant wishes to participate; a matching control unit that matches the event location, the operation location, and the participation location based on the event location information, the operation location information, and the participation location information; a notification unit that notifies the matching result to a provider terminal of the provider, an operator terminal of the operator, and a participant terminal of the participant; a tournament control unit that executes processing related to the holding of the tournament when the matching result by the matching control unit indicates that the venue, the operation venue, and the participation venue are matched; A system comprising:

[0111] (Additional note 2) A matching program for causing a computer having a processor and a memory to execute a matching process related to a tournament, The matching program causes the processor to: receiving, from a provider wishing to provide a venue for a tournament, venue information relating to the venue where the tournament is desired to be held, from an operator wishing to operate the tournament, operating venue information relating to the operating venue where the operator wishes to operate the tournament, and participation venue information relating to the participation venue where the participant wishes to participate in the tournament; matching the venue location, the operation location, and the participation location based on the venue location information, the operation location information, and the participation location information; notifying the matching result to a provider terminal of the provider, an operator terminal of the operator, and a participant terminal of the participant; A matching program that executes the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 System 3 Server 5. Communication Network 10 Provider terminal 12 Operator terminal 14 Participant terminals 20 Venue 22 Location of operation 24 Participating Locations 100 Information Reception Department 102 Storage Unit 104 Provider information storage section 106 Operator information storage unit 108 Participant information storage section 110 Tournament Information Storage Unit 120 Matching control section 122 Notification Department 124 Tournament Control Department 200 Decision Area

Claims

1. A matching program for causing a computer having a processor and a memory to execute a matching process related to a tournament, The matching program causes the processor to: receiving, from an operator wishing to operate a tournament, operation location information relating to an operation location where the operator wishes to operate the tournament, and receiving at least one of the following information: venue location information relating to the venue where the operator wishes to hold the tournament from a provider wishing to provide a venue for the tournament, or participation location information relating to the participation location where the participant wishes to participate in the tournament; matching the operation location with the event location based on the operation location information and the event location information, or matching the operation location with the event location based on the operation location information and the event location information; In the matching step, If the operation location and the event location are matched, notify at least the participant terminal of the participant of information inviting participation in the tournament at the matched operation location and event location; When the operating location and the participating location are matched, notifying at least the provider terminal of the provider of information soliciting the provision of the event location at the matched operating location and participating location; A matching program that executes the above.

2. a step of executing a process related to holding the tournament when the participants have been determined based on information inviting participants to the tournament or when the venue has been determined based on information inviting participants to offer venues after the step of notifying the participants.

2. The matching program according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The receiving step includes: receiving the operation location information in association with a desired operation period; and receiving the event location information in association with a desired event period, and receiving the participation location information in association with a desired participation period; The matching program according to claim 1 , wherein the matching step executes the matching during a period in which the desired operation period overlaps with the desired hosting period or the desired participation period.

4. the receiving step receives, from each of a plurality of participants who wish to participate in the tournament, participation location information regarding a participation location where each of the plurality of participants wishes to participate; 2. The matching program according to claim 1, wherein the matching step performs matching using the participation location information relating to the participation location with the highest number of participants.

5. A matching system comprising means for executing all of the steps executed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. 10. An information processing device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all of the steps executed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A server comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit executes all of the steps executed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising a processor and a memory, the method comprising: A method in which the processor performs all of the steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images